INTRODUCTION.

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE WORLD AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

Section 1. At the time Jesus Christ made his appearance upon the earth, to prepare the way for the establishment of the Christian church, a great part of the known world had become subject to the Roman Empire, under (Augustus Ceasar

The Roman Empire, at this time, was a most magnificent object. It extended from the river Euphrates on the East, to the Atlantic Ocean on the West. In length it was more than (3000 miles ;) and in breadth it exceeded 2000. The whole included about sixteen millions of square miles. This vast territory, which was divided into provinces, comprised the countries now called Spain, France, the greater part of Britain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Asia Minor, Egypt, Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea, with its islands and colonies. The subjects of the empire, at this period, have been (estimated at one hundred and twenty millions.

Sect. 2. (The state of the world, at this time, in respect to the prevalence of peace, civiliza

Note. The pupil will notice a difference of type, both n the text and in the questions. The larger type of the text corresponds to the larger type in the questions; the smaller type of the text to the smaller type in the questions.

Section 1. To what empire was a great part of the known world subject, at the birth of Christ? Who was emperor

?

What was the extent of the Roman Empire? What was its length? breadth? square miles? How was it divided ? What countries did it include? What was the number of its subjects? Sec. 2. What can you say of the state of the world, in respect to peace, civilization, and learning at this time?

tion, and learning was admirably adapted to the rapid diffusion of Christianity.

The world, in general, had not only become subject to the Roman dominion, but it was now at peace. This was

a state of things, which had not existed before for many years, and justly entitled the period, in which our Saviour descended upon earth, to the character of the pacific age. This tranquillity was indeed necessary, to enable the ministers of Christ to execute with success, their sublime commission to the human race.

A degree of civilization also prevailed, which had not before existed. Barbarous tribes had submitted to the Roman laws, which, with all their imperfections, were the best which human wisdom had devised. Distant nations, differing in language and manners, were united in friendly intercourse. A degree of literature was also spread abroad in countries, which had before lain under the darkest ignorance. The Greek language was both extensively read and spoken; and presented a medium to the heralds of the cross, of communicating to almost all nations, the doctrines. which they were commissioned to preach.

Sect. 3. The religious state of the world was less favourable to the diffusion of Christianity (A dark and gloomy system of superstition and idolatry was prevailing among all nations, except the Jewish. By means of this system, the human mind had become exceedingly debased. Men were poorly qualified to judge immediately of a system, so different as was that of Christianity, and by far too sensual to embrace, at once, one so pure.

The notion of a Supreme Being was not, indeed, entirely effaced in the heathen world; but the knowledge of

What was the age called, in which our Saviour appeared on earth? Why was a state of peace necessary at this time? What degree of civilization prevailed? What is said of literature? What language was extensively read, and spoken? What advantage arose from this?

Sec. 3. What was the religious state of the world? Why was it less favorable?

Did the heathen world acknowledge a Supreme being? Did they acknowledge the true God? Had they more Gods than one?

the true God was doubtless lost. Every heathen nation worshipped "lords many and gods many." These gods were multiplied without end. Every part of creation was supposed to have some divinity presiding over it. The earth and air and ocean were thought to be full of deities, who were supposed to be diverse from one another in respect to sex, and rank, and power. They, moreover, indulged the most lawless passions, and were guilty of the most polluting vices.

Yet, to these gods, a deep and universal homage was paid. They were courted and appeased by costly gifts, and honoured by rites and ceremonies too indecent even to be named. Temples, the most magnificent, were erected to their honour, and a most expensive priesthood maintained to serve at their unhallowed worship.

Such is an outline of the religious state of the heathen world, when Christ made his appearance on earth. The knowledge of the pure and exalted character of Jehovah was lost. Human accountability was unknown, and holiness of life was unnamed and unconceived of.

Sec. 4. In respect to the Jewish nation, which inhabited Judea, where Christ was born, more correct notions) of religion were entertained, since they possessed the Scriptures of the Old Testament, from which these notions were derived.)

Sec. 5. But even among the Jews, the state. of religion was exceedingly low. They indeed still maintained the ancient forms of worship; but the life and spirituality, the original beauty and excellency of that worship, had departed.

Sec. 6. At this period, also, the Jews were

What was the character of these gods? How were they worshipped, and honoured?

Sec. 4. What notions did the Jewish nation entertain about religion? Why were their notions more correct than those of the heathen?

Sec. 5. What, after all, was the state of religion among the Jews?

Sec. 6, How were the Jews divided at this time?

divided into several religious sects, all of which acknowledged the authority of Moses, and united in the same forms of worship/; but they were so far separated by their peculiarities, as to be continually (involved in the most bitter hostilities

Sec. 7. The most popular, and by far the most numerous of these sects, was (that of the Pharisees, who derived their name from a Hebrew word, which signifies to separate because they pretended, though very hypocritically, to uncommon separation from the world, and devotedness to God.

The origin of this sect is involved in uncertainty. From small beginnings, however, they had risen to great power; and in the time of the Saviour, they held the principal civil and religious offices in the nation.

In respect to some of the doctrines of the Scriptures, they seem to have been correct. They believed in the existence of angels, both good and bad; in the immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; and a state of future rewards and punishments. But they also held to the traditions of their elders, which they considered of equal authority with the Scriptures. Nay, in many instances, they explained the oracles of God by these traditions, and in such a manner, as wholly to destroy their meaning.

In their religious practice, the Pharisees pretended to uncommon strictness. They abounded in washings, and fastings and long prayers. They assumed great gravity in dress and demeanour, and exhibited no small zeal in all the forms of religion. But, with all their pretensions, they In what respects did those sects agree? In what respects did they differ? What was the consequence?

Sec. 7. Which was the most popular of these sects? Whence did they derive their name? What did they pretend to?

What was the origin of this sect? What was the state of the sect at the birth of Christ? In respect to what doctrines were they correct? What did they consider of equal authority with the Scriptures? What were some of their religious practices? What appearance did they assume? What was their real character? What did our Saviour liken them to?

were noted for their hypocrisy; and by our Saviour were compared to whited sepulchres, fair and wholesome externally, but full of deformity and death within.

Sec. 8. Next to the Pharisees, the Sadducees) were the most powerful sect. They derived their name from Sadoc who lived (about 260 B. C. This sect were infidels. They denied (the existence of a future state, and the immortality of the soul) and worshipped God (only to secure his favor, in the present world.

The Sadducees, in point of numbers, fell much short of the Pharisees; but they embraced most of the men of rank and wealth. The system which they adopted was eminently suited to the licentious life, which they universally followed. They adopted the maxim, "Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we die." In their opposition to the Son of God, they appear to have been equally bitter with the Pharisees. Some of the latter were converted to the faith of the Gospel, but not a single Sadducee is mentioned in the New Testament, as having become a follower of Christ.

Sec. 9. A third sect were the Essenes, who took their rise about 200 years B. C They derived their name from the Syriac verb Asa, to heal because they applied themselves to the cure of diseases, especially the diseases of the mind. They appear to have been an order of monks, who lived secluded from the world, and practised great austerity!

Sec. 8. What sect stood next to the Pharisees? From whom did they derive their name? When did he live? What was the character of this sect? What did they deny? Why then did they worship God?

Were the Sadducees more or less numerous than the Pharisees? In what respect were they superior to the latter? What maxim did they adopt? How did they treat the Saviour? Were any of them converted?

Sec. 9. What was the third sect called? From what year did they take their rise? Whence did they derive their name? Why? What kind of persons were they? How did they live?